In 2024, the forest fires in Latin America devastated a historic amount of forest hectares. It was one of the most devastating years in terms of this phenomenon.
More than 17 million hectares of tropical forests were consumed by flames, a surface equivalent to the size of Uruguay. This not only destroyed vital ecosystems but also exacerbated the global climate crisis.
## Tropical Forest Fires: The Numbers
The latest data from the University of Maryland’s GLAD Lab, available on the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Global Forest Watch platform, show that the loss of tropical primary forests alone reached 6.7 million hectares last year.
This is double the amount from 2023 and almost the size of Panama. Among the main causes, we can highlight:
Р**Climate Change:** The El Ni̱o phenomenon caused prolonged droughts and extreme temperatures, creating ideal conditions for fire spread.
– **Industrial Land Use:** The expansion of agriculture and livestock, especially in countries like Brazil and Bolivia, increased the vulnerability of forests.
– **Lack of Effective Policies:** The absence of strict regulations and weak enforcement of existing ones allowed the fires to get out of control.
## The Consequences of Fire in Forests
The direct consequences of these phenomena are the loss of biodiversity, with the destruction of natural habitats threatening thousands of animal and plant species; the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, as the fires released approximately 4.1 gigatons of COâ‚‚, contributing to global warming.
It also leads to an alteration of the water cycle, as forest burning affects water regulation, increasing the risk of floods and droughts.
Faced with this situation, the implementation of measures to halt the destruction of tropical forests is urgent. Strengthening conservation policies, implementing and enforcing laws to protect vulnerable ecosystems is an essential step.
On the other hand, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, such as environmentally friendly techniques that reduce the need for burning.
Moreover, education and awareness to inform the population about the importance of forests and the risks of fires.
## Brazil was the most affected country by fire in 2024
Statistics show that Brazil was the most affected country, with a 79% increase in burned areas compared to 2023.
In total, 30.8 million hectares were burned, an area larger than Italy’s territory. The Brazilian Amazon was the most affected region, with 17.9 million hectares ravaged by fire, representing 58% of the national total.
This increase is largely attributed to the most severe drought in decades, exacerbated by climate change.
It is worth noting that in the report not all news is bad, as some countries made progress in such a difficult year. In Indonesia, for example, the loss of primary forests decreased by 11%.
The efforts of former President Joko Widodo to restore lands and curb fires helped keep fire rates low, even amid widespread droughts.
